Two British soldiers die in Afghanistan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Two British soldiers have died in separate incidents in southern Afghanistan, the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) has said, according to BBC News.

Neither of the deaths is thought to be the result of hostile action. The next of kin of both have been informed.

The death of a soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Camp Bastion, Helmand, emerged first.

The MoD later said a soldier from 28 Engineer Regiment, attached to 21 Engineer Regiment, died at Forward Operating Base Shawqat, in Helmand.

A full investigation into the deaths is under way.

The number of British military deaths since operations began in Afghanistan in 2001 now stands at 432.

The soldier who died at Camp Bastion had been a member of 104 Force Support Battalion and was attached to 4 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

Lt Col Richard Parry, a spokesman for Joint Force Support (Afghanistan), said: "The condolences of all personnel serving with Joint Force Support [Afghanistan] are with the soldier's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

And, later, Task Force Helmand spokesman Maj Laurence Roche, said he was "very sorry" to report the death of a soldier serving with 21 Engineer Regiment in a shooting incident.

"This is a tragic day for everyone serving with Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan as we mourn this sad loss of life. Our thoughts are with the soldier's family and friends during their time of grief and loss," he said.